Stock Picks Column.

Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Sep. 17 -- On Assignment

Nasdaq (Symbol ASGN)

52-week range 21 5/16-39 1/2

On Assignment places highly educated chemists, biologists and other scientists in temporary lab jobs. By focusing on providing hard-to-find, highly skilled professionals, On Assignment has produced strong and consistent growth over the last five years. Sales have compounded at a 26 percent annual rate with net income growing faster at an excellent 34 percent rate. For the first half of 1999, solid growth continues with sales up 21 percent and earnings rising 29 percent.

Over the years, On Assignment has maintained an excellent financial position. Over the last eight years, On Assignment's highly profitable operations has consistently generated outstanding returns on equity in excess of 20 percent. This is superb performance, especially for a company with no debt. Assign's stock price pulled back along with many staffing firms ...